If you’ve noticed damage or deterioration in your decking, the question might arise: is it time to repair or replace your deck? The decision ultimately comes down to a range of factors, including the extent of the damage, the age of your deck, costs, and if the safety and structural integrity of your deck has been significantly compromised. In this article, we’ll first discuss what signs of damage and deterioration to look out for and how to assess the extent of the damage before covering whether a repair or replacement is necessary.
This article also sheds light on the durability and resilience of composite and PVC decking as an option for those considering replacing their existing wood deck. Continue reading for an in-depth look at the repair vs. replace debate concerning your decking.
Signs of Deck Damage and Deterioration
The first step in determining whether to repair or replace your deck is assessing the extent of the damage and deterioration to it. The following are some common signs that indicate a deck may need repair or replacement.
1. Structural issues such as sagging, leaning, or wobbling
Noticeable signs of sagging, leaning, or wobbling in your deck are indicators that your deck is deteriorating, and these structural issues must be addressed as they can cause safety issues.
Repairs may be able to fix some of these issues, such as adding a support beam or tightening or adding new screws or fasteners. If the deterioration is more extensive, a replacement will be necessary as you won’t be able to repair the deck to a safe level.
2. Loose or deteriorating boards, railings, or stairs
The next thing to look at is signs of deteriorating boards or surrounding elements like railings or stairs. If any of your boards have come loose, this needs to be fixed. If just one or two are loose, that may mean a repair is sufficient. However, if multiple boards are loose, it may be a better idea to do a full deck replacement.
You’ll also need to look at the quality of the boards. Are they still in a condition where they can be fixed? With a wooden deck, the wood may have deteriorated to a point where new screws and supports to fix any looseness can’t be placed, and the whole deck board or boards will need replacing. Unlike wooden decks, even in extreme conditions, composite and PVC decking can stand the test of time.
If stairs or railings have deteriorated, you will likely be able to just replace those if your actual deck is still in good condition. Loose railings may be able to be fixed by simply replacing the screws and supports, or even just tightening them all.
If your stairs are also made from deck boards, the above will apply, and you will need to replace some or all of the decking used for stairs if it has deteriorated too far to be fixed.
3. Rot, decay, or insect infestations
Signs of rot, decay, or insect infestation can be a clear sign that your deck needs replacing. In fact, once these issues have occurred and spread, replacement instead of repair is really the only option. You’ll most likely come across these issues with a wooden deck, especially to a point where they are causing a lot of irreversible damage.
Composite and PVC decking are resistant to rot, decay, and insect infestation, extending the lifespan of your deck and providing a much lower maintenance option compared to traditional wood decks.
If these issues are present, fix them as soon as possible. Rot, decay, and even insect infestation can eventually spread to your property if your deck is directly next to it.
4. Excessive splintering, cracking, or warping
A large amount of splintering, cracking, or warping is another issue that will primarily be present in wooden decks. If you notice a minimal amount of these issues, you may be able to treat them or do a small repair by replacing the few damaged boards.
However, if excessive splintering, cracking, or warping have spread across the deck, a full replacement is necessary. Composite and PVC decking offer a vastly improved resistance to these common issues. Their material composition allows them to withstand environmental impacts, greatly reducing the likelihood of splintering, cracking, or warping.
5. Fading or discolouration of the deck surface
Another thing that will show it’s time to repair or replace your deck is noticeable fading or discolouration of the decking. Again, this issue is more likely to be present if you have a wooden deck. In this case, you may be able to do a repair, by re-painting or re-staining the deck.
Do note that a wooden deck needs to be re-painted or re-stained every one to two years. So, if your deck is quite new and you notice colour fade, it’s most likely time for it to be stained or painted, you don’t need to replace it.
If you’ve had your deck longer (close to 10 years) and have re-painted or re-stained frequently, eventually it will be time to completely replace the deck as additional staining won’t take as well.
Composite and PVC decking materials such as those from TruNorth Decking, come with high-quality UV protectants that slow down the fading process significantly, allowing them to retain their original colour for many years. These materials will fade and become discoloured at a much slower rate than wood decking.
However, the boards will eventually fade due to age. Significant colour fade across the entire deck can suggest it’s time for a deck replacement instead of repairs. This will be the case if your deck is nearing the end of its lifespan, which for PVC and composite decking, is around 25 years.
6. Safety hazards like loose or missing fasteners
Even if your deck boards are in good condition, there may be issues with missing or loose screws, nails, or fasteners. These missing or faulty pieces can cause safety issues and even compromise the structural integrity of your deck. If you notice any missing or faulty pieces, replace them immediately or tighten them if that’s an option. With the advancement in fastener technology, particularly for composite and PVC decking, the risk of loose or missing fasteners has been significantly reduced. The design of these modern fasteners ensures a firm and long-lasting hold, enhancing the overall stability and safety of your deck.
Assessing the Extent of Damage
If you notice any of the above issues, it doesn’t necessarily mean you need to replace your deck. To determine whether to repair or replace your deck, you need to evaluate the severity of the deck damage. To do that, follow the guidance below.
1. Determine if the damage is localized or widespread
As discussed above, if any of the damage or deterioration issues affect just a few boards, a repair or small replacement of only the damaged boards could be sufficient. However, if the damage is more widespread than localized, affecting numerous boards or the whole deck, a full replacement is necessary. This is another area where composite and PVC decking excel. Their design and manufacturing process result in a higher consistency and fewer issues overall. This means that problems, when they occur, are more likely to be localized and easily remedied, saving time and money over the lifespan of the deck.
2. Consider the age and overall condition of the deck
All decking, whether composite, PVC, or wood, will eventually need replacing due to age. However, when that time occurs will vary. As mentioned, a wooden deck has a lifespan of around 10 to 15 years, while composite and PVC decking should last 25 years, or more.
If your deck is nearing those respective years and has widespread damage, a replacement will be necessary. Repairs are likely putting off the inevitable and will be needed frequently until you finally replace; therefore, costing you more than simply replacing as soon as a decent amount of damage occurs. With PVC and composite decks, however, the lifespan can be significantly longer, with less frequent need for repairs, making them a more cost-effective choice over the long run.
If your composite or PVC deck is within the 25-year period, it will likely be covered by a warranty. So, make sure you check what that covers before replacing the whole deck. Your warranty may fix all present issues for free, even if that includes replacing many of the deck boards. Warranties on wooden decks will vary, but still check with your supplier to see if the damage or deterioration you’re experiencing is covered.
3. Assess the impact of the damage on the deck’s structural integrity and safety
Of course, the safety and structural integrity of the deck is the most important thing to keep in mind. No matter how old your deck is, if the damage has caused safety issues and repairs will not alleviate those issues completely, you must replace the deck.
Due to their robust construction, PVC and composite decking materials like those from TruNorth Decking often maintain better structural integrity and safety over time, even in the face of damages, making them a more reliable and safer option.
If you’re unsure if the damage has made your deck unsafe, call a professional to check. They will also be able to offer a solution that will get your deck’s structural integrity back to a safe level.
Cost-Benefit Analysis: Repair vs. Replacement
If you have to replace your deck for safety reasons or because it can’t be repaired, you’ll have an easy answer on whether to repair or replace your deck.
However, there are many situations where both repairs and a full replacement are feasible, but you must decide which is the best choice. The following are things to consider when on the fence about a repair or replacement.
1. Cost of repairs compared to the cost of a new deck
The first thing to determine is how much repairs will cost and how much a full deck replacement will be. Get an estimate for both and compare. If repairs are significantly less than what a replacement will cost, that’s probably the best option. If repair costs are about as much as a replacement, it will most likely be better value for money to replace the deck.
You’ll also want to look at how much you’ll get back from each investment. The on-paper cost for repairs may be less than replacement costs; however, if you’ll only get another year of use of your deck with repairs, and a new deck should last 10 to 25 years, depending on the materials used, the yearly cost may be significantly less for replacing vs. doing repairs.
Consider this, however, with TruNorth or Clubhouse Decking, despite the slightly higher upfront cost, you get a significantly longer lifespan with minimal need for repairs or maintenance. Therefore, even if the initial cost of replacing with these materials is higher, the long-term savings can be substantial.
2. Frequency and extent of required repairs in the future
Following on from the last point, when deciding between repairing and replacing a deck, you need to think about how frequently you’ll need to do repairs if you opt to repair the deck this time. If, after looking at the damage and/or discussing with a professional, it seems as though you won’t need to do repairs again for years, then repairing the damaged deck is a good idea.
If repairs are merely a temporary solution to more extensive damage and will need to be done yearly, or even more often, to keep the deck safe and in good condition, it’s better value for money to replace the deck. In this case, replacing the deck should also save you time in the long run.
Keep in mind that PVC and composite decks from TruNorth Decking require less frequent repairs over time compared to traditional wood decks translating into an improved cost-efficiency throughout their lifetime.
In addition, if a large number of repairs are needed and the cost and time of these repairs almost or completely equate to those of a new deck, go for the replacement.
3. Lifespan and long-term durability of different decking materials
As discussed earlier, looking at the remaining lifespan of your deck is important when determining whether to repair or replace it. Decks near the end of their average lifespan should be replaced if you have the time and money to do so.
If you haven’t had your deck long (under five years for a wooden deck and under 10 or 15 for a composite or PVC deck), a repair is probably the best and cheapest option unless damage is extensive or has severely affected the deck’s structural integrity.
When replacing your deck, think about the durability of the materials you’ll use in the replacement. If you currently have a wood deck and replace it with the same material, basic maintenance will be needed within the next few years.
Large-scale issues, including rotting, cracking, and warping, are also more likely to occur, meaning extensive repairs or another deck replacement could be needed as soon as four or five years into your new deck.
Opting for a PVC or composite deck makes these short-term issues much less likely. By choosing these materials, you shouldn’t need to worry about a high amount of maintenance or repairs for years to come. If a small issue does occur, your composite or PVC deck warranty will likely cover it.
By opting for a PVC or composite from TruNorth Decking, these short-term issues are much less likely. You can enjoy a longer lifespan, better durability, and significantly less maintenance, making them a better investment over time.
